Classes will resume at a north suburban middle school after two days of cancellations due to threatening Instagram posts shared with sixth graders, police said.
Officials canceled classes at Oliver McCracken Middle School at 8000 E. Prairie Rd. Wednesday and Thursday after police were contacted by school officials Monday about “inappropriate and threatening” social media posts received by students, according to a statement from the Village of Skokie.
Police said Thursday the threats were deemed "not credible" and involved juveniles. It was not immediately clear if any action will be taken against the juveniles involved.
On Thursday, officials rescheduled the school’s Student Council dance, originally set for Friday, as well as the Buzz Buck Bonanza assembly program scheduled. The assembly program has been rescheduled for Friday, Oct. 31 and staff sponsors are working to set a new date for the school’s dance, Principal Allison Stein said in a note to parents.
Student Mia Connelley says she received a follow request on Instagram from someone she didn't know.
"The bio looked really weird and shady so I declined it," she said.
Connelley said her friends later received a request from the same user and the profile contained a threat. The students suspect the requests are related to the anonymous threats that canceled classes at the school.
"We have to determine the credibility of the threats," said Skokie Police Officer Eric Swaback.
Stein encouraged students to wear orange or blue “to symbolize peace” as students return to classes Friday, an idea she said was suggested by an eighth grade student.
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Stein said all student lockers were checked by district personnel to “ensure they only hold items appropriate for school.”
“We assure you that no inappropriate items were found,” she said. “We are proud that our students continue to demonstrate respectful, responsible, and ready behavior in the items they choose to bring to school.”
The district is cooperating with the Skokie Police Department in investigating the occurrences, according to a letter sent to parents Oct. 21 by Dean of Students Nancy Arrola.
The posts came to light because students, parents and staff followed the school district’s media policies, according to a statement posted on School District 73.5’s website.
“Some of our McCracken students are following anonymous users and/or allowing anonymous users to access their Instagram accounts,” Arrola wrote. “These anonymous users are able to view students’ comments and photos, and post comments on their own.”
Arrola did not specify how many students were impacted by the Instagram posts or share details of the posts.
“Student safety is our first priority, and we encourage you to monitor your child’s Internet activity (including all digital devices) very closely,” Arrola wrote.
“The Skokie Police Department assures the community that this incident is isolated to McCracken Middle School and does not compromise the safety or scheduling at any other Skokie public or private school,” according to the statement.
District 73.5 Superintendent Kate Donegan said the district could not provide more information because the matter is an on-going investigation.
